a beautiful place, and the gardens are quite grand. People pay a shilling on Thursdays to look at them.'
'Do they, indeed?'
'I am going to be so bold as to ask you to visit. For a fortnight, perhaps. My mother would approve of you.'
'Of a penniless captain who cannot even be a captain any longer?'
'My mother is a true blue blood. She cares nothing for money. Or at least, she does not now that her only daughter is provided for. She can retreat into lofty ideals. She does it very well.' Lady Breckenridge smiled, the affection in her eyes outweighing her acerbic words.
'I would be honored to accept such an invitation.'
'Good,' she said.
I set down my cup, and rose. Lady Breckenridge looked surprised. 'Goodness, are you going already?'
'No.' I reached down, took her cup from her, and put it on the table beside her. Then I closed my hands on hers and raised her to her feet.
'Donata,' I said. 'I want never to be less than honest with you. You once guessed that I had been married, and you assumed me a widower. The truth is that I am still married.'
Lady Breckenridge's eyes widened. I went on quickly. 'Fifteen years ago, Mrs. Lacey deserted me. I have not seen her since. I recently discovered that she lives in a village in France with her lover.' I tightened my grip. 'I want to find her and dissolve the marriage if I can. And after I have done what I need to set her free, I would like to ask leave to court you.'
Lady Breckenridge said nothing. Any other woman might have been overwhelmed by what I'd just told her, or grown furious, or burst into tears. But I knew that Lady Breckenridge would forgive honesty far more quickly than she'd accept pleasing lies. She was resilient, this lady.
'I have no idea how to make pretty lover's speeches,' I said when the silence had stretched. 'Not like your poets.'
'Poetry can be tedious. Too many words to say a simple thing.' She studied me a moment longer, the pressure of her fingers warm on mine. 'Very well, Captain. I give you leave.'
Something stirred in my heart. I leaned down and brushed her lips with a soft kiss.
When I made to pull away, to take my leave, she held on to my hands. 'Stay,' she said.
We looked at each other a moment longer.
'Very well,' I replied, and did so.
